About

The Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY is a not-for-profit organization that has served the local construction industry since 1981.

Our mission is to enhance the growth and prosperity of member companies by providing information, education, and communication for the construction industry. As the largest construction association in Western New York, Construction Exchange is an influential advocate and steward for the promotion and advancement of our industry.

If you are looking for information on bidding and planning stage residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal construction projects, or low-cost safety training and consulting, construction education, industry events, a competitive workers’ compensation plan, or to save money on the things you use every day, you have come to the right place – the Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY.

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Our Team

Board of Governors

Committees

Investment Committee

Mission

The Investment Committee reports to the Finance Committee and oversees the Construction Exchange and Construction Industry Education Foundation investment accounts.

Meeting Frequency

As needed

Members

• (Chair) Scott Hoffman – Hoffman Hanafin
• Kelly Besaw – Chiampou, Travis, Besaw & Kershner
• Lauren Chmielowiec – Upstate Steel/Rebar
• Mark Collard – Landmark Wealth Advisors
• Jim Logan – Construction Industry Education Foundation

Annual Outing Committee

Mission

Plan Annual Outing and assist staff the day of.

Meeting Frequency

2 to 3 times a year as needed

Members

• (Chair) Jason Colby
• Admar, David Allan
• Trinity Construction Management, Carolyn Batt
• Hurwitz Fine, Tom Christopher
• Admar, Jack Dumpert
• Bondedge, Jim Ginnane
• Planned Futures Financial, Dave Shanley
• Retired, Pat Sullivan
• Retired, Michael Welch
• Evans Bank

Auction Committee

Mission

Plan the Construction Industry Education Foundation 12 Days of Christmas and fundraise for event.

Meeting Frequency

3 to 4 times per year as needed.

Members

• (Chair) Chris Tryjankowski
• PCS Plumbing, David Allan
• Trinity Construction Management, Carolyn Batt
• Hurwitz Fine, Lynne Bona
• Mallare Enterprises, Tom Christopher
• Admar, Bill Diehl
• Lafarge, Mindy Elniski
• LVBW, Jen Kinney
• Montante Construction, Aly Luccari
• Bright Organizing Solutions, Dina Marinaro
• Vanner, Lisa Palladino
• The Bonadio Group, Patt Rozler
• Turner, Michael Welch
• Evans Bank

Education Committee

Mission

Schedule educational and training programs to be offered to the membership.

Meeting Frequency

As needed (September thru May)

Members

• (Chair) Drew Miller
• Webster Szanyi, Karen Antonelli
• Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner, Gary Bichler
• R&P Oak Hill Development, Susanne Kelley
• Sienna Environmental, Joe Mannarino
• Buffalo Construction Consultants, Byron Nakagawa
• United Rentals, Greg Schober
• Huber Construction, Andrew Malcolm
• Campus Construction Management Group, Amber Storr
• Hurwitz & Fine, Erin Borek
• Phillips Lytle, Eric Wilczak
• D.V. Brown, Reginald Alls
• Montante, Ryan Pitman
• Goldberg Segalla, Ryan Vondell
• Redi-Mix, William Vail
• PaintCraft, Sarah Viksjo
• M&T Bank

Executive Committee (Officers of the Board)

Mission

The Executive Committee shall have the authority and power to act on behalf of the Board during the intervals between meetings of the Board.

Meeting Frequency:

Quarterly

Members

• (Chair) Nicole Savage – NW Contracting
• Dan Sarzynski – Rupp Baase Palzgraf Cunningham
• Doug Elia – Montante Construction
• Joe Benedict – Construction Exchange

Legislative Committee

Mission:

Discuss legislative topics that may affect the Western NY construction industry and when necessary, determine appropriate corresponding courses of action. Typical courses of action may include membership training and/or notifications.

Meeting Frequency:

2 to 3 times per year (March and September) or as needed

Members:

• (Chair) Robert Michalak – Michalak & Dobson
• Diane Burger – CTS Contracting
• David Farinacci – Tradesmen International
• Steve Federico – Calspan Corp.
• Andy McLellan – UNYSE
• Adam Mollenberg – Mollenberg-Betz
• Chris Picone – Picone Construction Corporation
• Curt Resetarits – Buffalo Crushed Stone
• Tom Saia – Iroquois Bar Corp
• John Urso – Gypsum Systems
• Chris Wopperer – Thermal Foams Inc

Finance Committee (Committee of the Board)

Mission

1. Review the annual budget prepared by Management, 2. Review investment accounts and meet with investment advisors, 3. Interact with and provide oversight of the association’s CPA firm, and 4. Study major capital expenditure requests

Meeting Frequency

4 times per year or as needed

Members

• (Chair) Nicole Savage – NW Contracting
• Joe Brennan – M&T Bank
• Doug Elia – Montante Construction
• Joe Mannarino – Buffalo Construction Consultants
• Dan Sarzynski – Rupp Baase Palzgraf Cunningham

Marketing and Events Committee

Mission

Develop and oversee a marketing plan that increases awareness of the Construction Exchange and its membership benefits among the Western NY construction community. Discuss new programs that may be beneficial to the membership and oversee existing programs. Plan social events.

Meeting Frequency

Quarterly (February, May, August, November) or as needed.

Members

• (Chair) Chris Wopperer
• Thermal Foams Inc., David Allan
• Trinity Building & Construction Management, Michelle Ashby
• Tipping Point Communications, Michelle Barber
• Votorantim Cimentos/United Materials, Carolyn Batt
• Hurwitz & Fine, Melissa Brinson
• Millington Lockwood, Joseph Brennan
• M&T Bank, Joyce Delong
• Allegra Marketing, Grace Dettelis
• Ideal Concrete, Henry Fischer
• United Business Systems, Mindy Elniski
• LVBW/Lougen Valenti Bookbinder & Weintraub, Jim Ginnane
• Planned Futures Financial, Aly Luccari
• Bright Organizing Solutions, Caryn Martin
• United Rentals, Craig Mahoney
• Holcim, Joseph Manzella
• Paychex, Amanda Newton
• Calspan, Joseph Peresan
• The Bonadio Group, Michael Ross
• Lawley Insurance, Jill Sawyer
• LaBella PC, Sean Umlauft
• EBC HR & Payroll, Beth Vosseller
• Ace Flag, Jim Waddell
• Frey Electric, Robert Warrington
• New Enterprise Stone & Lime, Michael Welch
• Evans Bank, Lori White
• Greenlight Networks, David Will
• LPL Financial

Plan Room Committee

Mission:

Evaluate new plan room technology or functionalities. Determine the direction the Exchange takes with new plan room technology and systems.

Meeting Frequency:

3 to 4 times a year (February, May, October) or as needed.

Plan Room Committee Members:

• (Chair) John Embow
• Groove Roofing, Jeff Jones
• CRH Cement, Matthew McGuire
• Danforth, Dave Muskopf Jr.
• MLP Plumbing

Safety Committee

Mission

Discuss topics related to safety in the Western NY construction industry and when necessary, determine appropriate corresponding courses of action. Typical courses of action may include membership training and/or notifications.

Meeting Frequency

Quarterly (January, April, July, November) or as needed.

Members

• (Chair) Van Mollenberg
• Mollenberg-Betz, Jeff Danahy
• Vanner Insurance Agency, Gordon DeLeys
• OSHA, Eric Frandsen
• Frey Electric, Anne Gaspar
• Ciredon Group LLC, Mike Jandzinski
• Lovell Safety Management Co, Dale Keller
• Mader Construction, Ryan Knoph
• John W. Danforth, Rocco Lueck
• HR Benefit Advisors, John Monson
• Quality Risk Solutions, John O’Hare, Bob Overhoff
• LP Ciminelli, Tony Picone
• Picone Construction Corp, Nicole Savage-Seaman
• NW Contracting, Mike Scime
• OSHA, Len Sommers
• Lawley Insurance, Ken Stephan
• Mandon Building Systems, Camille Waters
• Datz Dat Construction.